Nature-Inspired Crafting

February 17, 2011

.: Thank you for the beautiful comments you shared with me on my last post. It was truly a pleasure to read each one! :.

.: Glass jar wrapped with wire and embellished with decoupage creates a hanging vase to grace the window :.

While the snow still sits outside covering the earth surrounding us there is a noticeable shift in the quality of light. The sun has returned to our windows to shower us with it's distinct feeling of happiness as it streams over the sill and kisses the tops of the children's heads.

While the winter continues I look to the sunny spot in the living room as a foreshadowing of spring. While the sun works it's magic along with the help of Mrs. Thaw, the earth drinks in the melting snow that nurtures the soil of the gardens.

Even though the Tulips are not yet awakened or prepared to greet us in the gardens, after some thought I went right to work to create our own bit of spring in the windows...

This is a great way to use recycled jars. Mason jars that have a smooth front work beautifully as well.

The next step I will share here is how to create the handle for the hanging glass vase.

I was happy to come across this wire encased in jute that made for a very natural-looking handle. (This may be found in the floral section of many craft stores)

First I took a nice long piece of wire. I sized it by holding it up to the vase and made sure that it was long enough that it could hang from the door or windows and still lay flat.

Form the wire into a handle shape as seen in the above photo. Make 'hooks' at the end of the handle wire.

Wrap the wire around the rim of the jar twice. Before securing it, place the handle 'hooks' under the wrapped wire. Make sure it is very secure by closing off the hooks.

Pull the wire that is wrapped around the rim tightly. Twist the ends together to form a very secure closure.

You now have your functional hanging vase. Now for the fun part!

Next prepare to adorn the glass hanging vases, you may choose your paper images.

These spring-like images were found in the scrapbook section of the local craft store. I am planning to create a few more vases and look forward to using images from a chicken catalogue as well as from seed catalogue's.

.: Choosing and placing each paper image :.

Start placing your images until you find one that will become the finished piece. Set out some modge podge and get ready to adhere the images.

Modge Podge is brushed onto both the back and front of the paper images to adhere and seal the image.

Once the image is adhered, you may take a small damp cloth to neaten up the glass around the image. Finish with a dry cloth to polish up the glass and make sure any last remnants of glue disappear.

Add water to your vase and some gorgeous Tulips, and you are on your way to a spring view in your window! I hung a few of these tulip-filled hanging vases from the latch on the window. For wooden window frames you can screw in a small hook to hang your vase.

This touch of spring in our newly sun-filled windows has brought the freshness of Spring to the windows of the living room.

It is lovely to have a handmade hanging vase full with the freshness of Spring flowers placed in the bedroom windows or in the kitchen above the sink.

Or to greet you as you come and go on your front door!

Here's to bringing the bright happy feelings of Spring to our windows and doors in a handmade way!

February 08, 2011

.: This birch bark frame was created to compliment this natural photo :.

Recently I received a beautiful photo in the mail from Nicola. I had been dreaming up the idea of creating a birch bark frame, and this photo seemed just the right one to naturally frame!

I look forward to sharing my process for creating a nature-inspired frame. I am very happy with the results and hope you enjoy it too!

.: I knew right away this photo would have a special adorned frame :.

I knew right away this photo would not be placed in just any frame. I wanted to create something just as lovely to hold it. Now I will share the process of the birch bark frame I made to bring a bit of nature indoors!

.: A simple frame was used as the base. Its simple lines suit the birch bark that will be secured to it :.

I began with an inexpensive frame. I made sure to pick out something that was low profile enough so that when the birch bark was adhered to it, it would lay evenly and completely from all angles.

.: I used these few pieces of birch bark I had stored away in the craft closet :.

Most of my creating is inspired by nature and by the objects we collect along our nature walks. My craft closet holds stones, pinecones, shells, and birch bark (to name a few) so that during the winter months we still have access to these natural ingredients for our crafting.

.: An inexpensive frame, hot glue, scissors, and birch bark are the materials used to create this nature-inspired frame :.

I had a few pieces of birch bark that we had previously gathered from a fallen tree. Even if you only have a few pieces of birch bark, the rough look of pieced bark together on the frame adds natural beauty. If you do not have access to birch bark, try looking for scrap book paper in a birch motif that you could adhere to cardboard before securing it to the frame.

.: Piecing together the birch bark to create a rustic and natural looking frame :.

I began piecing together pieces of birch bark along the frame, securing it with hot glue and cutting pieces to fit as I went along to create a rustic look.

.: The finished frame with photo inside! :.

I am quite happy with the finished result. I think this nature photo and natural frame complement one another very well!

.: I love the pairing of the birch with the flower print - it looks lovely at home! :.

We are enjoying the way the photo paired with the birch bark frame looks at home. I look forward to creating many more!

February 06, 2011

To live presently with the rhythm of each season is a true joy of life. It helps us to soak in each inspiring and beautiful element of the season with gratitude, mindfulness, and artfulness.

.: Cranberries and Evergreens suspended in ice :.

It is a yearly tradition for my family to make Ice Mandalas in February. The deep cold this month has to offer perfectly maintains this outdoor gallery of art while the monochromatic landscape offers a complementary backdrop for this bright display of color!

.: Berries and greens starting to freeze :.

With much excitement I shared with the children it was time to create ice mandalas. Soon we set out our supplies to create a dream-like world under the trees in honor of the winter season.

.: Baking pans with water set outdoors while nature does her part to freeze each mandala :.

Circular baking pans were filled with water, jute rope was taped to the edge of the pan, and then came an imaginative session of placing in each object that would soon be frozen in ice!

.: Each ice mandala sparkles as it catches the light :.

It is wonderful to step outside and behold the morning sunlight slowly returning to sparkle through the colorful objects suspended in ice.

.: Petals on ice :.

The early evening light highlights the bubbles and swirls that form in each ice mandala. This brings great beauty and a big smile into our day!

.: Cranberries and Evergreens on Ice :.

Nature collaborated beautifully on this project, freezing each icy disk.

.: This doile is set in water outdoors to freeze, creating an Ice Mandala :.

A crocheted doile was captured in ice today and was set out in the branches of an old cherry tree to share with us the details of its pattern.

.:The sunlight illuminates each Ice Mandala as it hangs from branches:.

Soon the sun that is shining brightly once again will melt all of the snow and ice and hand back to us this doile that will be placed on a spring table set with fresh tulips from the gardens.

.: Adding petals to water creating an Ice Mandala :.

While we place each medium into the pan of water, we enjoy the yearly traditions we take part in together. These traditions are a way for us to mark the seasons and remind us of what is to come...For a look at last year's 'Ice Mandalas', visit the link here.